Defending champion Novak Djokovic faced a stunning defeat at the U.S. Open, following Carlos Alcaraz’s unexpected exit just a night before. Djokovic, seeded No. 2, was eliminated in the third round by Alexei Popyrin of Australia, ranked 28th. The match ended with a scoreline of 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in favor of Popyrin.
This loss marks a significant setback for Djokovic, who was aiming to become the first player in tennis history to secure 25 Grand Slam singles titles. Instead, he will finish the year without a major title, a first for him since 2017, and only the second time since 2010 that he has gone without winning a Grand Slam in a calendar year.
The 2024 season now stands as the first since 2002 in which none of the “Big Three” — Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, or Roger Federer — has won a Grand Slam title. This underscores a significant shift in the landscape of men’s tennis.
Djokovic’s early exit from the U.S. Open matches his worst performance at this venue. His only other third-round exits at Flushing Meadows came in 2005 and 2006. The player who defeated him 18 years ago, Lleyton Hewitt, now serves as Australia’s Davis Cup captain and was seen cheering for Popyrin from the stands.
At 37, Djokovic has experienced considerable success at Arthur Ashe Stadium, having reached the final ten times and winning titles in 2011, 2015, 2018, and 2023. However, his performance on Friday was marred by 14 double faults and a noticeable lack of physical and emotional energy. This could be attributed to his recent exertion in winning the Olympic gold medal in August.
Carlos Alcaraz, who entered the U.S. Open as the top favorite following his victories at the French Open and Wimbledon, also faced an early exit. Alcaraz was knocked out by 74th-ranked Botic van de Zandschulp with a scoreline of 6-1, 7-5, 6-4. Alcaraz admitted to feeling lower on energy than he had anticipated during the tournament.
With Alcaraz’s exit, Djokovic became the new favorite to win the men’s title according to BetMGM Sportsbook. However, this position proved fleeting as he succumbed to Popyrin’s challenge.
For Popyrin, this match was a breakthrough moment. He had previously been winless against Djokovic and had never advanced past the third round of a Grand Slam. Popyrin’s recent form, including a significant title win in Montreal and a series of victories over top-20 players, showcased his readiness for this high-profile match.
Popyrin’s performance was impressive, especially at the net where he executed serve-and-volley approaches flawlessly, winning all 10 net points and 25 out of 36 overall. In contrast, Djokovic’s net play was less effective, winning only 19 of 40 points, largely due to Popyrin’s ability to deliver precise passing shots.
Popyrin utilized his powerful forehand to great effect, scoring 22 of his 50 total winners with this shot. He also managed to break Djokovic’s serve five times during the match, including a crucial break in the fourth set.
The pivotal game in the fourth set lasted over 10 minutes, featuring four break points for Popyrin. He converted the final chance with a stunning inside-out forehand, followed by a dominant service game to take a 5-2 lead. Popyrin initially faltered when serving for the match but regrouped to secure the win on his second attempt, holding at love as Djokovic’s forehand sailed long.
With this victory, Popyrin will now aim to reach his first Grand Slam quarterfinal. His next opponent will be No. 20 Frances Tiafoe, who advanced after a grueling five-set match against No. 13 Ben Shelton, winning 4-6, 7-5, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-3.
